Shipping from the Philippines to DubaiShipping from the Philippines to Dubai, by air and sea.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, handles shipping from the Philippines to Dubai for businesses. We book air cargo from Manila and Clark to DXB, and FCL or LCL sea freight from Manila, Batangas and Cebu to Jebel Ali. We check the exporter's papers, arrange cold chain for fruit and seafood, then clear the goods with Dubai Customs and deliver in the UAE.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Philippines to Dubai at a glance
Fruit, seafood and electronics are the main Philippine exports to the UAE. Fresh and urgent cargo flies from Manila to DXB, while containers go by sea, often through a transshipment hub.
- Flight time
- About 9 h Manila to Dubai
- Sea transit
- About 3 to 5 weeks, often via a transshipment hub
- Export filing
- Bureau of Customs, electronic
- UAE duty
- 5% on most goods, on CIF value
Where cargo leaves the Philippines for Dubai
Pick the gateway closest to the exporter. Mindanao fruit exporters near Davao often ship by sea or truck to Manila and Cebu connections.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | MNL | Ninoy Aquino International, the main air cargo gateway | |
| Airport | CRK | Clark International, north of Manila, used for freighters | |
| Seaport | PHMNL | Manila South Harbor and Manila International Container Terminal | |
| Seaport | PHBTG | South of Manila, serving factories in Calabarzon | |
| Seaport | PHCEB | Visayas gateway for island exporters |
Air or sea from the Philippines
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MNL or CRK to DXB or DWC | Next day to 3 days, plus clearance | Fresh fruit, seafood, electronics, urgent goods | |
| Sea freight FCL | Manila, Batangas or Cebu to Jebel Ali | Varies, often via a transshipment hub | Full containers of food, furniture and trading goods |
| Sea freight LCL | Manila consolidation to Jebel Ali | Varies, via a transshipment hub | Smaller loads, from about 1 CBM |
Airlines flying direct from the Philippines to Dubai
- Emirates SkyCargo
- Philippine Airlines
- Cebu Pacific
Transit times vary with the vessel and routing, and are not promises. Rates change often, so we quote each booking. Check the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Export rules in the Philippines
Your Philippine supplier handles export formalities. We check that their papers match what Dubai Customs will see.
| Item | In Philippines |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | Bureau of Customs (BOC), which processes export declarations electronically |
| Product regulators | Plant products need a phytosanitary certificate from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI); fishery products need a health certificate from BFAR; food and medicines involve the FDA |
| Non-preferential certificates are issued through the Bureau of Customs; check the current process with DTI | |
| Economic zones | Exporters in PEZA zones follow Philippine Economic Zone Authority procedures |
| Export VAT | Exports are generally zero-rated for VAT |
Permits depend on the product. Ask your supplier which agency covers your goods before you book.
UAE duty on goods from the Philippines
Dubai Customs assesses duty on the HS code and CIF value. We file the declaration and arrange delivery.
| Item | For goods from Philippines |
|---|---|
| UAE customs duty | 5% on most goods, by HS code, calculated on the CIF value (cost, insurance and freight). A few items are exempt or rated differently. |
| Trade agreement | The UAE-Philippines CEPA was signed on 13 January 2026. We could not confirm that it is in force, so plan on the standard rate until Dubai Customs confirms otherwise |
| 5%, charged on the CIF value plus duty. Registered businesses can usually recover it on their VAT return. | |
| Free zone option | Cargo can be held in a free zone such as JAFZA under duty suspension. Duty and VAT are due when it moves to the mainland. |
Airlift Logistics files the import declaration with Dubai Customs and arranges delivery to the mainland, a free zone or re-export. See customs clearance in Dubai.
Approvals for common goods from the Philippines
Fruit, seafood and electronics are the main goods from the Philippines, and each has a UAE approval. Ask your supplier to confirm these early, because they cannot be fixed once the cargo has landed.
- 01
Food and beverages
Food products need Dubai Municipality registration (Montaji), compliant labels and shelf-life dates.
- 02
Bananas, pineapples and mangoes need a BPI phytosanitary certificate and a MOCCAE import check.
- 03
Fish and seafood
Fishery products need a BFAR health certificate and cold chain from the plant to Dubai.
- 04
MoIAT ECAS conformity
Regulated electrical and electronic products need conformity approval.
- 05
TDRA type approval
Wireless devices need type approval from the TDRA.
- 06
Wooden packaging
Pallets and crates should be heat-treated and stamped to ISPM 15. Confirm the rule with your importer.
Documents for shipping from the Philippines to Dubai
Ask your supplier to send these with the booking. We check that names, values and HS codes match across every document.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Customs value and duty in the UAE | |
| Packing list | Count, weights and marks for inspection |
| Bill of lading or air waybill | Transport contract and cargo release |
| Proves where goods were made; buyers and banks often ask for it | |
| Philippine export declaration | Export clearance filed with the Bureau of Customs |
| Needed for fruit, fish and other regulated products |
What UAE importers buy from the Philippines
The Philippines sells food, electronics and other manufactured goods to the UAE, and a CEPA was signed in January 2026. We do not quote trade values here because they change every year.
- 01
Fruit and processed food
Bananas, pineapples, dried mango and coconut products.
- 02
Seafood
Tuna and other fishery products, mostly by reefer container or air.
- 03
Electronics and components
Semiconductors and electronic parts, mostly by air.
Philippines to Dubai shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneManila handles most container cargo from the Philippines. Batangas serves factories south of Manila, and Cebu serves the Visayas. Many sailings to Jebel Ali go through a transshipment hub. We compare routings, cut-off dates and total transit for each booking before you choose a port.
- Ask us for current sailings.
- Trucking to Manila can add time.
The agreement was signed on 13 January 2026 in Abu Dhabi. We could not confirm an entry-into-force date, so do not assume a preferential rate yet. Plan for the standard 5% duty on most goods until Dubai Customs confirms otherwise. Ask us to check the position at booking.
- A certificate of origin may be needed later.
- Duty depends on the HS code.
Fresh fruit needs a phytosanitary certificate from the Bureau of Plant Industry. UAE plant checks fall under MOCCAE, and food controls under Dubai Municipality. Bananas and pineapples also need cold chain. We book reefer containers or air cargo and plan arrival so inspection does not delay the goods.
- Fruit is time sensitive.
- Your importer should hold the food registration.
Regulated electrical and electronic products need MoIAT conformity approval under ECAS. Wireless devices also need TDRA type approval. Confirm the HS code with your Dubai importer, because the rules depend on the product type. Ask the supplier for certificates before the cargo leaves Manila.
- Components and finished products differ.
- Missing approvals can hold cargo.